Mr. Richard Ellis "Rick" Carlson

Mr. Richard Ellis "Rick" Carlson obituary, Santa Monica, CA

Mr. Richard Ellis "Rick" Carlson

Richard Carlson Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 21, 2019.
Richard "Rick" Ellis Carlson, age 51, of Santa Monica passed away after a valiant fight with cancer on February 13, 2019. He was born in Duluth, MN on June 9, 1967 to Larry Carlson and the late Linda F. Carlson.

Rick is survived by his love and devoted wife of 19 years, Jennifer; beloved daughter Julia and Golden Retriever Charlie; brother David (Susan) Carlson of Lake Forest, IL; parents-in-law Robert and Gail Berhalter of Santee, CA; sister-in-law Jill (Anthony) Berhalter-Reese and brother-in-law Tim (Heidi) Berhalter of El Cajon, CA; dedicated uncle to Sam, Henry and Gwyneth Carlson; Nick Berhalter, Olivia Reese, Wyatt and Easton Berhalter. Rick was preceded in death by his grandparents, Knute and Margaret Carlson and Robert and Lisbeth Carroll; his stepfather John Tucker, and his exceptionally beloved Golden Retriever, Jackson.

Rick was raised in the Midwest and moved to California in the 1980's. Rick attended San Diego State University where he met Jen and graduated from California Lutheran University. He started his career at Gillette in Santa Monica, CA before moving to their corporate headquarters in Boston. Rick was a dedicated employee at Anthem Blue Cross in Woodland Hills where he worked in finance for the last 15 years.

A long-standing Chicago Cubs fan; Rick started every baseball season in April with annual trips to Arizona spring training. Rick was just as passionate about baseball as he was about soccer. His favorite soccer teams were his daughter Julia's youth soccer teams over the years. Friends and family knew where to find Rick on the weekends, cheering on Julia on the soccer pitch with Jen. Rick's love of travel and adventure included trips to Belize, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Japan, Italy, countless ski trips along with his annual visits to Chicago, San Diego and Palm Desert. Music was a vital part of Rick's life. When he wasn't blasting music in his car, he was attending concerts and sharing new bands and songs with his friends and family. Everyone close to Rick felt his love and were instantly at ease with his infectious smile and welcoming spirit.

A Private Celebration of Rick's Life will be held on Friday, March 8th.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Rick's memory to: https://oralcancerfoundation.org or a donation to https://www.gofundme.com/rick-carlson-memorial-fund.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Richard Carlson's Guest Book

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March 15, 2019

Mozghan Yahiapour posted to the memorial.

March 5, 2019

Leanne Preihs posted to the memorial.

March 3, 2019

a loved one sent flowers.

6 Entries

Mozghan Yahiapour

March 15, 2019

Hi Jen, so sorry about your loss

Leanne Preihs

March 5, 2019

Jenny, I'm very sorry for your loss.

Comfort Planter

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Scott Thrun

March 1, 2019

I met Rick back in Jr.High. We had some fun times with some very large bonfires at his house on silver lake. Having Just lost my Dad 2 days ago to oral cancer and the many complications that come with it, I know what you are feeling and what you most likely went through with Rick. I am so so sorry for your loss. Rick was far too young for this. The only way I can make sense of these tragedies is that God has a bigger plan and he needed Rick to help him accomplish it.

preben krogh-jacobsen

February 28, 2019

Will always remember you

Scott Bowman

February 27, 2019

So sorry to learn about the loss of my old friend. Rick was a generous teenage friend of mine that helped me survive some difficult times. His consideration and enthusiasm will never be forgotten. Gods Blessings to Ricks family.

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Sign Richard Carlson's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

March 15, 2019

Mozghan Yahiapour posted to the memorial.

March 5, 2019

Leanne Preihs posted to the memorial.

March 3, 2019

a loved one sent flowers.